According to a report of the thelocal，a German court has upheld a decision to deny an employee security clearance because he was a Scientologist and therefore couldn’t be trusted to deal with classified information. The court further said that this decision did not violate the man's right to freedom of religion.
The man was working as a mechanic for a helicopter manufacturer that often works on behalf of the German military when he failed a security clearance test by the German Economic Affairs Ministry.
He was told he did not pass the test as he was a member of the Church of Scientology.
The man brought the case to a Berlin court arguing his religion should be a private matter. the decision violated his right to freedom of religion.
The person being audited and an auditor
The court ruled the denial of security clearance for classified materials was justifiable as the practice of Scientology creates doubts around someone’s trustworthiness with classified materials and their loyalty to the constitution.
This is because one of the requirements of Scientology is “auditing” - a type of confessional counselling where members share their thoughts and experiences. They all be kept on record.
The court explained that this practice rightly leaves doubt about Scientologists’ trustworthiness with classified materials and their loyalty to the constitution.
The Church of Scientology has been deemed subversive to freedom and democracy in Germany since 2004 and members have been subjected to surveillance.
